COGconnected's Scores

  • Games
For 5,008 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 62% higher than the average critic
  • 6% same as the average critic
  • 32% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 0.3 points higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 75
Highest review score: 100 Super Mario Odyssey
Lowest review score: 10 Wander (2013)
Score distribution:
5013 game reviews
    • 73 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S remains a strong puzzler that successfully merges two iconic franchises into one cohesive, content-rich package. Mechanically tight and perfectly suited for portable play, it’s an easy recommendation for newcomers looking to dive into a vibrant and addictive puzzle experience. That said, the additions in this version are relatively minor, offering little incentive for returning players who already own the previous release. For fresh players though, it’s a delightful crossover worth your time.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    It's hard not to admire developer Ebb's commitment to a bleak and violent biomechanical world. No game has ever nailed the style of Giger quite so precisely and consistently. Scorn is genuinely disturbing in the way of an unsettling nightmare, but even unrelenting tension eventually loses impact. Its puzzles and exploration sometimes feel arbitrary and needlessly obtuse. Ebb might not care if I waste time getting lost or missing important clues, but Scorn's rewards aren't always worth the effort. Scorn is a darkly beautiful vision but just not much fun to play.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    If you’re looking for a new table to add to your Zen Pinball collection, you’re going to be happy with your choice if you side with ‘Marvel’s Women of Power’.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Honestly, Zombie Army 4 is exactly what you’re expecting it to be. Which is totally fine! If you’ve got a craving for gory undead violence, this game has just what you’re looking for. In spite of the weird pacing and curious boss placements, there’s still a lot of fun to be had. Especially if you’ve got a propensity for long range kills and curious weapons. If you want a dang decent undead action game on the Switch, check out Zombie Army 4: Dead War.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    All in all, Kaiju Wars is not a revolutionary experience, but it sure is a good time. I recommend it to fans of challenging SRPGs, retro gaming, and the kaiju genre alike. Plus, it includes several public domain giant monster movies, including multiple Gamera films, the 1925 film The Lost World, and the North Korean monster film Pulgasari. If you’re interested in old-school monster movies, that alone might be worth the price of admission.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    A short game that makes a hell of a first impression. The story might not be anything to write home about, but it’s fun, engrossing, and surprisingly funny.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    The game this time around is more story and dialogue heavy, and I felt like it presented itself as more of a visual novel, however the battle system is quite good and remains mostly the same as the First and Second Chapter.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    There are scenes here that feel placed out of obligation rather than necessity, and it’s what makes this episode a weaker installment than the debut. But A New Frontier still engages with its characters, world, and direction. The ending only leaves me wanting more and that’s what The Walking Dead is supposed to do.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    While some elements of Valkyrie Elysium are disappointingly lackluster, in the end, the combat is excellent. That alone was enough to keep me engaged through the game’s dozen or so hours. I have a pretty long wish list for future games, like more impressive visual design and more interesting missions. But the real-time action? It’s a keeper.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    For the old fans, Re-Boot Camp is practically perfect. The games look much better, while the mechanical guts are properly preserved. On the other hand, if you remember these games being frustrating, that feeling will persist. If you’ve never played the Advance Wars games, you’re in for a fascinating experience. The heavy Fire Emblem influences are balanced with a more brutal, more inconsistent pace that will keep you on your toes at all times. I found myself (an old fan) elated and infuriated in equal measure. If you’re looking for a strategy RPG set apart from the rest, good news! Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp isn’t quite like anything you’ve played before. Love it or hate it, you’ll certainly be engaged.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    If the game was a little more polished on the graphical front and came with a more original story, this one could have been a real gem instead of being good.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    It’s a recycled formula that has worked over and over again and it has left some gameplay issues that should have been fixed long ago (e.g. floaty control or collision detection); however, the “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” formula works and for many that will most likely be fine for them.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Once again, we come to the important question: is this roguelike worth your time? That depends. Fans of the genre will appreciate the challenge level, the smooth combat, and the robust skill selection. Newcomers and outsiders will love the unique aesthetic and the high level of polish. On the other hand, this game is proper tough. If that’s what you’re looking for, great! You’re in luck. If you’ve been softened and spoiled by other, more considerate roguelikes, then consider yourself duly warned. Have A Nice Death is a slick, relentless roguelike with all the charm and challenge you could need.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Observer on the Switch brings back all the good aspects of the game and gives you more flexibility on how to play it with new touch inputs and, of course, the option to play it on the go. Observer also looks better in handheld mode, which provides even more reason to make full use of the console’s capabilities. However, it is still the same flawed game it was almost two years ago when it first released. Observer is a visual and auditory tour de force and excels wonderfully as a narrative entry into the cyberpunk genre, I just wish more attention went into creating a compelling gameplay experience to accompany it.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    At the end of the day, The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners is a satisfying action RPG with reasonable writing, fun scenarios, and the opportunity to hit zombies with barbed wire baseball bats. That it happens competently in VR makes me feel good about the future of such experiences, even if there are some usability troubles. If you’ve already got a headset, giving Saints & Sinners a shot is a no brainer. If you’re still on the fence, well, it might be about time to hop down.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    If you go into the game knowing it is short you can adjust your expectations accordingly. The Guest looks, plays, and sounds great but because of its brevity feels like a easily forgettable brief encounter rather than an overnight stay.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    The Collider 2 is a twitchy reaction game that looks gorgeous and is a lot of fun to play. Collider 2 expands on the foundation laid by Collider while still fulfilling the motto of the game publisher’s name – Shortbreak.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Vibration from the controller and the sheer speed and sense of losing control feels great and makes you believe you are in a powerful suit.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    McPixel 3 is frantic fun. The mixture of minigame madness and point-and-click puzzles deliver ridiculous outcomes which continue to amuse throughout its relatively short run time. Frustration can build, especially with its often bizarre solutions, however, the humor quickly overrides this. Even though some jokes don’t land, it’s sure to make you laugh, particularly if you enjoy silly and slapstick comedy.
    • 59 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Other than wishing for some more of that story, the only other drawback was that the default configuration for a controller didn’t have the brake mapped to it. You can change it of course, but should probably be there somewhere, to begin with. This game is worth your time, whether for nostalgia, the car combat or both.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    As a compilation, it doesn't break any new ground; however, if you are a fan of classic fighting games and want to excuse to head back down memory lane then Marvel Vs. Capcom Origins is a purchase you likely won't regret.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    The occasional dip in my enjoyment was a fair trade for the unsettling atmosphere, the fascinating narrative, and the clever premise. If you’re in the market for an unconventional horror game, I can easily recommend Yuppie Psycho.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Ghosts 'n Goblins Resurrection is not only a fitting tribute to a much-loved classic but it's also the rebirth of the franchise. With its punishing gameplay and brutal boss fights, even experts will find this quest a challenge. However, even with the range of accessibility options, the difficulty may deter those with a passing interest.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Space Junkies possesses a strong foundation. It’s frantic combat and responsive weapons no doubt appeal to those looking to spend quick bursts of game time in VR. Developed in-house by Ubisoft, it’s also one of the best VR experiences one can have in terms of comfort and ease. However, the admission fee alone for this arena shooter might turn away potential fans, and with an already low player population, it remains to be seen whether Space Junkies is here to stay.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    An interesting concept with a relatable story that is well executed in some aspects but done poorly in others. The game attempts to tell a thoughtful story about an invasion of privacy by requiring the player to snoop through a stranger’s phone, and the further you get in uncovering the depth of Laura’s problems, the more it feels like voyeurism. It requires some cognitive dissonance on the player’s part, drawing you out of the game and making you question why you are fishing for passwords and so aggressively digging into someone else’s life.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    As a whole package The Medium is very much a story of compromise. For all its successes in visual storytelling and interesting setting, it’s collared by poor pacing and dated game design. Still, it’s well worth a look for history buffs and those fascinated by the unknown. So what lies beyond? It’s still up for debate. In the present, The Medium offers an intriguing possibility to puzzle on.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    What drew me to Arcade Spirits is the aesthetic and the story. The characters are cute and easy to like, and I love being able to track my status instead of guessing where I stand. Arcade Spirits has an enjoyable story and I will be playing it again until I’ve romanced everyone. It doesn’t really bring any innovation into dating sim world but it is one I can easily recommend.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Observer is a decent game. The highly detailed environments and disturbing dream sections are hobbled only by the gameplay’s limited, repetitive nature during the real world sections. It features a solid voice work performance from Rutger Hauer too. As an early title for the PS5, there is much to be impressed with. Observer runs smooth and loads quickly, and it looks great even though the artistic direction subdues the impact. However, the old dictum remains – good graphics alone do not make for a great game.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Resident Evil Village: Winter’s Expansion includes a wide range of content. Shadows of Rose is a great addition to the family saga and neatly ties up narrative threads from the base game. Although it follows conventions of the franchise, the supernatural twist does add a new element that leads to some innovative scares. The inclusion of a third-person mode for the main campaign is a fantastic addition and the new characters are great for the Mercenaries mode. Although Rose’s story is a little short, the expansion offers some memorable moments and gives a reason to return to the macabre village.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    None of the glitches are game breaking, but they do detract from the experience. How much they do will be up to individual tolerance levels. Kinetic Games have promised to address current issues with future patches. One thing is that working is cross-platform play. PS5 and PC players can do coop play. It is a testament to the game experience that players will get past the PSVR 2 issues and still go ghost hunting with Phasmophobia. If you love ghost busting and can tamper your expectations with the game’s polish, you are in for a great time.

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